Hutson Mason got some playing time for Georgia at the end of last season when Aaron Murray was injured. / Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

New starting quarterbacks come in all shapes, sizes and levels of seniority. Sometimes their success is also predicated on their supporting casts.

Ranking the best first-time starting quarterbacks in FBS, regardless of class:

1. HUTSON MASON, Georgia

He's not your ordinary first-year starter: Mason got his feet wet last fall for an injured Aaron Murray, for one, and has been with the program since 2010. He has the experience and supporting cast to lead Georgia to the top of the SEC East Division.

2. KENNY HILL, Texas A&M.

Hill, a sophomore, beat out true freshman Kyle Allen to earn the nod as Texas A&M's replacement for Johnny Manziel. Though he'll need to perform to keep the job, Hill gives the Aggies another dual-threat option at the controls of this explosive offense.

3. WILL GARDNER, Louisville.

After spending the last two seasons behind Teddy Bridgewater, a first-round draft pick, Gardner should put up all-conference numbers at the center of Petrino's pass-happy offense. He'll be surrounded by the Atlantic Coast Conference's second-best receiver corps.

4. PETE DiNOVO, Central Florida.

It won't be easy to replace Blake Bortles. But DiNovo, a redshirt freshman who won the starting job during fall camp, will be eased into the role with the help of a powerful running game and the best defense in the American Athletic Conference. He may still hold the key to the Knights' hopes of defending last season's conference championship.

5. MATT JOECKEL, TCU.

The former Texas A&M transfer will be given the keys to TCU's new up-tempo offensive system. It's an offense Joeckel knows well, thanks in large part to his stint with the Aggies. With a stronger offense, the Horned Frogs could be a Big 12 sleeper.